Temple of the Winds

"The ones who flee the city to wait out the plague will soon be short of food and succumb to starvation. Remind people to take food. as they are not likely to find it in the countryside. They will be no less dead if they die of hunger rather than plague. Remind them of this, and that looting of farms will not be tolerated. We will not allow anarchy.

"Well, I guess that's about all I have to say. What are your questions?" "Will you be leaving tonight, my queen. Lord Rahl, or in the morning?" General Baldwin asked. "And where will you be staying?" "Richard and I won't be leaving Aydindril," Kahlan said. "What? But you must get away," General Baldwin insisted. "Please, both of you must escape this. We need you to lead us."

"We didn't know what we were dealing with until it was too late," Kahlan said. "We may have already been exposed to the plague."

"We don't think that likely," Richard said, wanting to assuage their fears. "But I must stay to see if there is any magic that will stop this plague. I will need to be going up to the Keep. If we're up in the hills we can't be of any use. and I might miss a chance of finding a solution. We will remain here and oversee the command of the city.

"Drefan is the High Priest of the Raug'Moss healers, from D'Hara. The Mother Confessor and I could be in no better hands. He and Nadine will be staying, too, to see what relief can be brought to people."

As the men asked questions and discussed matters of food and supplies, Kahlan moved to the window, watching the snow and wind build in the spring storm. Richard was speaking to his men the way a commander spoke on the eve of a battle, to instill in them a sense of purpose, to harden them to the battle ahead. As in any battle, death would run rampant.

Despite what Drefan believed about the plague not being able to build to full strength in the cold weather, Kahlan knew that it wasn't true in this case.

This was no ordinary plague. This was a plague started by magic, by a man who wanted to kill them all.

Down in the pit, Jagang had called it Ja'La dh Jin-The Game of Life. Jagang was incensed that Richard had changed the ball to a lighter one so that all the children could enjoy playing, instead of just the strongest, the most brutal. Jagang started the killing with those children. It was no accident; it was a message. It was the game of life. This would be Jagang's world, ruled by such savagery, if he won.

CHAPTER 33

For the next hour, the men asked questions, mostly of Drefan. The two generals offered suggestions to Richard regarding command and logistics. Options were briefly discussed, plans were made, and officers were assigned duties. The army was to begin moving that very night. There were a great many Blood of the Fold who had surrendered, and although they had since sworn loyalty to Richard, it was still thought wise to divide them, too, sending some with each unit, rather than letting them remain together. Richard concurred with the suggestion.

When at last they had all departed to begin the work, Richard dropped heavily into his chair. He had come a long way from being a woods guide. Kahlan was proud of him.

She opened her mouth to say so, but Nadine spoke the words in her stead. Richard mumbled a flat "Thanks."

Nadine tentatively touched her fingertips to the back of his shoulder. "Richard, you were always. . I don't know. . Richard, to me. A boy from home. A woods guide.

"Today, and especially tonight, with all those important men, I think I saw you differently for the first time. You really are this Lord Rahl."

Richard put his elbows on the table before him and his face in his hands. "I think I'd rather be at the bottom of the cliff, buried with the Temple of the Winds." "Don't be silly," she whispered.

Bristling, Kahlan moved to his side. Nadine glided away. "Richard," Kahlan said, "you have to get some sleep. Now. You promised. We need you strong. If you don't get some sleep-"

"I know." He pushed away from the table and stood. He turned to Drefan and Nadine. "Do either of you have anything to make a person go to sleep? I've tried. . Lately, I just lie there. My mind won't be quiet."

"A Feng San disharmony," Drefan announced at once. "You bring it on yourself with the way you push past the limits of your body. There are bounds to what we can do, and if-"

"Drefan," Richard said, cutting him off with a gentle voice, "I know what you mean, but I do what I must. You just have to understand that. Jagang is trying to kill us all. It will do me no good to be as high-spirited as a squirrel in spring if it means we all end up dead."